LSU junior running back Richard Murphy is likely done for the season.Murphy left Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt in the second half with an apparent right knee injury. LSU coach Les Miles said Murphy will likely be sidelined until spring 2010.”We certainly hope there is some news that would allow [Murphy] to return, but we don’t expect it,” Miles said. “He’ll be ready for the spring, and we’ll look forward to that. He’s a very talented guy.”Miles said senior running backs Keiland Williams, Charles Scott and Trindon Holliday will shoulder the load in the running game. “The three guys who will carry the ball a lot for us as we go forward will be [Williams, Scott and Holliday] and not in that order,” Miles said. “Charles Scott wants to be on the field, and he has a want to play a little at fullback for this team.”Miles said senior wide receiver R.J. Jackson will also be more involved in the offense in future games. Jackson led all receivers with six receptions for 55 yards on Saturday against Vanderbilt after catching just one pass for a loss of 1 yard in his career.”R.J. Jackson had a career night but also blocked well and is really coming into his own,” Miles said. “He went up for a ball that was contested, made a great catch and put us in position to make that late field goal at the end of the half.”Freshman quarterback Russell Shepard made his regular-season debut for LSU in the first half against Vanderbilt. Shepard lined up at both quarterback and receiver and had three carries for 27 yards, but he also fumbled after an 8-yard reception — his only reception of the game. “He needs to also mature a little bit and make sure he takes care of that ball,” Miles said. “It’s a goal of ours to get him more touches as we go forward in the season.”Miles said he was impressed with the performances of the defensive linemen, including veterans like senior Charles Alexander and young players like Chancey Aghayere and Lavar Edwards.”It looked like a defensive line that I’m used to seeing here,” Miles said. “Charles Alexander is lighter and more athletic than he’s been and is becoming tough to block inside. It was nice to see [Edwards] get a sack and cause a fumble; hopefully he’ll get used to doing it.” Aghayere and Edwards filled in for junior Lazarius Levingston, who missed the game after being injured against Washington. Miles said Levingston is “ahead of schedule” and should return in two weeks when the Tigers take on Mississippi State.Senior defensive end Rahim Alem earned Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors Monday, and Miles said he sees “a veteran feel and passion” in Alem.”He’s going to be very difficult to line up against week after week,” Miles said. “Instead of just coming off the football, he’s recognizing backfield sets, what the opponent is doing and how it will affect his technique.”The SEC also announced LSU’s matchup against Mississippi State on Sept. 26 will kickoff at 11:21 a.m. on the SEC Network.- – – -Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]